Anthony Fowler says he will be targeting a shot at the British Super-Welterweight Title by the end of the year should he get past Adam Harper at Matchroom Fight Camp in Brentwood, Essex, on Friday August 7, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US. 

‘The Machine’ (12-1, 9 KOs) bounced back from his first defeat in the pros to Scott Fitzgerald by earning a unanimous decision against former World Title challenger Brian Rose to claim the vacant WBA Intercontinental Middleweight Title in his home city of Liverpool.

Fowler returned to the M&S Bank Arena in November, picking up the vacant WBA International Super-Welterweight Title with another unanimous decision over Derby’s Harry Scarff on the Callum Smith vs. John Ryder Super-Middleweight World Title card. 

His last appearance came in March at Manchester Arena where dropped late stand in Theophilus Tetteh three times on route to a first round stoppage win. The former Team GB standout is expecting a much harder night’s work against Harper, but feels confident of returning to his explosive knockout form from earlier on in his career. 

“I feel as if I am coming into my own now as a pro,” said Fowler. “I have had a few years to adapt and at the start I was knocking everybody out, it was really easy for me. I got beat, and in the fights since I have been a bit too cautious. I have still been winning but not boxing and flowing like I can. I want to get back to my old deadly self. I want to wipe kids out in a smart way, a calculated way, and break them up slowly.

“Adam is a tough, determined fighter who has beat a few unbeaten fighters. He’s never been stopped so will come with ambition to beat me and make a name for himself. I will be fully prepared for him, I’ve got a great coach and a brilliant mindset so there is no looking past anyone anymore, I’ve made that mistake once. I’m not boxing for the fun of it, I’m boxing to climb the rankings and achieve my dreams. Harper is in my way and he will be getting beat.

“Ideally I want to be British Champion by the end of the year. I want to box someone like James Metcalf or Ted Cheeseman for the Title. I don’t want to be boxing the likes of Kieron Conway. I want to move forward, push on and prove I’m better than that. I don’t want to be floating around domestic level much longer. I’m not getting any younger so it’s time to push on.

“I want to showcase my improvements in this fight. People saw a little glimpse of me in my last fight with my looser footwork. I want to put on a professional display, not make as many mistakes and take my time a bit more. No matter who I fight I am looking to do a number on them because they are in the way of my dreams and my future, so I will be prepared and in the best shape mentally and physically.”

Fowler vs. Harper lands on Week 2 of Matchroom Camp, main event sees Terri Harper (10-0, 5 KOs) defend her WBC and IBO Super-Featherweight World Titles against Natasha Jonas (9-1, 7 KOs)in an historic clash, Bournemouth’s Chris Billam-Smith (10-1, 9 KOs) defends his Commonwealth Cruiserweight Title against undefeated Cardiff man Nathan Thorley (14-0, 6 KOs), Oldham prospect Aqib Fiaz (5-0) steps up against Birmingham’s former Midlands Area Champion Kane Baker (13-6) and Leeds Featherweight prospect Hopey Price (2-0) takes on Jonny Phillips (5-4, 2 KOs).

WATCHING THE IBF International super welterweight belt change hands over the weekend made Troy Williamson even hungrier for success and the Trojan says he would be happy to dine out on both the winner and loser.

Sam Eggington and Ted Cheeseman fought out a close run fight this past Saturday, with Cheeseman getting the verdict from the judges and parting the Birmingham man from his title.

The fight received a good few plaudits from viewers but, up in Darlington, the IBF European champion was not particularly impressed with what he witnessed.

The 28-year-old former Team GB star believes he would devour both men for breakfast and midday snack.

“Watching the Eggington-Cheeseman fight made me realise I am a level above both,” said Williamson, who is set to defend his title live on BT Sport on August 15. “I would even fight them on the same day.”

“I would have the egg for breakfast and the cheese for lunch.”

Williamson suspects he is becoming an avoided man in the division but will not be deterred in his quest to conquer at 154lbs.

“There’s a reason why none of these super welterweights want to fight me. But I won’t be stopped. I will become world champion.”

Also featuring live on BT Sport on August 15 is two-weight world champion Carl Frampton, who takes on Vahram Vardanyan in a step towards a proposed WBO world title shot at super featherweight against the champion Jamel Herring. Michael Conlan takes on former world featherweight title challenger Sofiane Takoucht, while top prospects Dennis McCann (bantam) and Paddy Donovan (welter) have their seventh and fourth professional fight respectively.

London, UK (5 August 2020) Idris Virgo, the 5ft 10in powerhouse from Birmingham with the Colgate smile and marble-carved physique, first courted the nation’s attention when he crashed on to the ITV hit show Love Island in 2018. Installed as a ‘bombshell’, the 27 year old bombed out of the idyllic Mallorca villa without meeting his match, after four episodes.

But the Handsworth-born hunk left quite an impression before he left the island and extensive coverage in the national ‘red tops’ saw his profile soar. He now intends to capitalise by knocking down contestants rather than ‘coupling up’ with them. Although I’m a Celebrity…, Celebs Go Dating and MTV’s The Challenge could be in the offing in the future.

Middleweight Virgo (5-0-1) will next feature on Hennessy Sports’ big show on Saturday 22nd August at a purpose built TV studio in Redditch, behind-closed-doors, headlined with the mouthwatering showdown between Shakan Pitters and Chad Sugden for the Vacant British Light-Heavyweight Championship, exclusively live on free-to-air Channel 5 in the UK.

‘I’m very handsome, a fittie, and I know I’m destined to be a superstar. Boxing will now be my platform,’ says Virgo, who already claims 171,000 Instagram followers.

‘Love Island opened doors and seriously changed my life. With regard to boxing, it’s helped massively with regard to increasing my profile and selling tickets.’

The middle of seven children, Idris’ fighting career, like so many, commenced on the school yard.

‘I was the hardest at my school, quite ‘The Chap’. I was actually a prefect and it does take a bit to get me going,’ he disclosed.

‘But I began boxing at 15,16, long before Love Island. This ain’t no gimmick. I had eight White Collar (bouts), losing just two, plus a dozen amateur which I mostly won. The reason I left the amateurs, aged 25, was the judges robbed me in the Midland Senior ABAs.’

Since sacrificing his vest, the Anthony Hull coached Virgo has conceded just two of the 22 rounds that constitute his unbeaten six fight pro career. While he is yet to register a stoppage win, the muscular middleweight warns us to expect an immediate change.

He says: ‘I’m known as ‘The Body Breaker’. In previous fights, I was content to take my time but now I intend putting opponents to sleep. I’ll set them up then chop ‘em down with body shots.’

Renowned Midlands fight figure Jon Pegg, who manages Virgo, concurs that he certainly has a future between the ropes, provided he can commit the gym hours.

‘Idris is a natural athlete who’d instantly be good at pretty much any sport he embraces. He’s got a very impressive build and puts his shots together well,’ says the likeable Brummie ‘fight face’ who also manages top-of-the-bill Shakan Pitters.

‘Because of that reality TV exposure, Iddy can shift tickets. Though he was cast as the bad guy in Love Island he’s actually a nice kid. He’s very busy doing his videos and stuff but, provided he hits the gym every day, there’s definitely belts in his future.’

Perhaps the only thing bigger than Virgo’s ego, is his ambition.

‘I’m not in this to mess about. I intend winning English, British, European and world middleweight titles,’ states Idris.

‘My appearance should certainly boost the ratings. The ladies love to lust over my sweaty body! Some jealous types will no doubt tune in, in the hope of seeing me get laid out but I guarantee I’ll disappoint them.

‘Because of my profile, every opponent has been desperate to make their name by taking me down but they never come through, Once I clout ‘em, their game plans disappear out the window.

‘When I come through in August, I’ll have another two six rounders before the end of this year against progressively better opponents. I’m targeting a British title shot by the end of next year.’

In association with Ladbrokes and Infinitum, Hennessy Sports will present the exciting five-fight card headlined with the highly-anticipated Pitters v Sugden clash, plus the comeback of Brixton cruiserweight title contender Isaac Chamberlain; Birmingham super-welterweight and Love Island star Idris Virgo; a fiery Midlands derby for the Vacant Midlands Area Welterweight title between Birmingham’s Kaisee Benjamin and Wolverhampton’s Conah Walker, and fast-rising Sevenoaks middleweight prospect Michael Hennessy Jr.
For further information go to www.hennessysports.com or social media: Facebook @HennessySports, Twitter @HennessySports and Instagram @hennessysports

WITH SPORT ON the whole creeping sluggishly out of enforced hibernation and attempting to establish a foothold in the world of the so-called new normal, how about lighting the touch paper and really bringing British boxing back with a bang?

The time is right to throw off the shackles and truly give our sport a proper shot in the arm.

What I am proposing is to break down the borders and give the fans the fights they want to see.

Let’s make the natural matches that have previously been deemed too complicated due to promotional and broadcast affiliations. Queensberry’s finest versus the best of Matchroom. 

Why not?

The prospect of the best of British getting it on would reinvigorate the sport, increase the subplots and really get people talking about the game again.

Forget about promoter pride and egos, it is not about us. This is the time to turbo-charge boxing right back into the mainstream and capture the imagination of the watching public.

People talk about various industries resetting following the traumas this year has inflicted on the world.

Well, this is our chance to do just that. You can call it my 2020 vision.

The fans are longing to see Anthony Yarde take on Joshua Buatsi with light heavyweight supremacy at stake. So am I, let’s get it done.

Who wouldn’t want to see Dillian Whyte taking on the best young heavyweight in the world, Daniel Dubois, later this year or early next while Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are busy making other plans?

Any takers for Joe Joyce against Dereck Chisora? Archie Sharp v Zelfa Barrett? Hamzah Sheeraz v Ted Cheeseman? Charlie Edwards v Kal Yafai? What about seeing Nathan Gorman step in the ring with Dave Allen? There are numerous potential bangers there to be made and no good reason not to make them. Liam Williams is due a world title any day now, so let’s add a bit of American flair and stick Andrade in the mix too.

Let’s stop any tactical maneuvering and deliver the fans the fights they want to see. 

I know there will be more than a few sceptics who will doubt the plausibility of such ambitious matchmaking due to the complex nature of the promotional terrain. I say we should smash down the barriers for the benefit of the sport and, most importantly, the people who support it.

From our side, our broadcast partner BT Sport fully buys into the concept and is ready and willing to help make it happen. If Sky Sports are of the same mindset, so much the better, and an equitable distribution of the fights can be worked out. No problem.

Can anyone begin to imagine what sort of business a dual branded PPV would do with Daniel vs Dillian on top. How about a stacked undercard featuring Edwards vs Yafai, Gorman vs Allen and Sheeraz vs Cheeseman all on the bill? This is great for fans, great for business and all together great for boxing.

There really isn’t any reason to put up any roadblocks to having the boxing pot overflowing with meaningful matches that would get the attention they deserve.

Our door is wide open to begin negotiations for one-off spectacles, a sequence of events, a Test series of top ‘us versus them’ humdingers. The possibilities are endless and everything is on the table.

Forget the past. Don’t focus on the difficulties and let’s get on and make the fights people want to see. When it comes time to make Fury v AJ, everyone involved will have to cooperate anyway so I see no reason why we can’t make these fights now.

You could say I am throwing down the gauntlet and I would hope this honest proposal is taken at face value and not blithely dismissed.

For the long-term good of our sport, now is the time to put up or shut up.

Stockton, CA (August 4, 2020) – On Saturday night, September 5th, Toscano Promotions will present a great night of professional boxing when they present “Futuros Campeones II” from the Historic Jai Alai Palace Forum Entertainment Center in Tijuana, Mexico.

The outstanding show be will streamed live all over the world on bestinboxing.com

The free undercard will begin at 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT With the main card beginning after the four-fight undercard. The main card can be seen for $9.99

The Free undercard will be hosted by Emmy-Award winner Courtney Perna, and can be seen on Fight Hub TV on You Tube, Abrams Boxing on Youtube, Best in Boxing on Facebook; Best in Boxing on Youtube ; Global Sports Streaming on Periscope / Twitter as well as globalsportsstreaming.com and bestinboxing.com

“I am very excited to be putting this event on. This is an opportunity to do a few things all at once and that is to keep fighters busy, put them in competitive bouts, and introduce some stars of the future. With Best In Boxing, we can showcase our fighters around the world and when you look at the matchups for September 5th, you can see how competitive and entertaining these fights will be,” said Jorge Toscano of Toscano Promotions.

“We are working with promoters to assure top quality and exciting fights that fight fans are looking for,” said Armando Bereno of Global Sports Streaming. “Getting to know, and working with Toscano Boxing Promotions has been like a breath of fresh air. They believe 100% in bringing entertaining competitive fights to fight fans and they live by that every fight card. Jorge Toscano’s number one goal is to develop top-level fighters while bringing action fights to the fight fans. Jorge is a fan first and so he wants to deliver fights that he wants to watch. I talked to a lot of promoters about how they could make money in this new pandemic environment and it was clear we had to go to a pay-per-view model to keep relevant. The business of boxing requires smaller promoters to make money off of their live gate and without that they have a choice to not do shows or go online with their product. Here at GSS, we stepped up to bring the service of pay per view to promoters. We believe that fight fans will pay to support their fighters if we create entertaining shows for them. Toscano already produced great fights before the pandemic and so PPV is just an extension of what they already do.”

In the main event, Angel Ramos will take on Jorge Villalobos in the eight-round flyweight main event.

Ramos of Ensenada Baja California, Mexico has a record of 24-1-2 with 17 knockouts.

The 26 year-old Ramos is an eight-year professional who was undefeated in his first 15 fights, which was highlighted by a win over Samuel Ramos (5-1). Since suffering his lone setback, Ramos has been undefeated (8-0-1) with wins over Julian Yedras (24-5) and his last outing when he stopped Angel Guvara in five rounds on November 30th in his hometown of Ensenada.

Villalobos in undefeated with a record of 10-0-3 with six knockouts. The 20 year-old native of Guadalajara, Mexico is coming of a six-round unanimous decision over Angel Castillo on December 20 in Sinaloa, Mexico.

In the six-round co-feature, undefeated knockout artist, Manuel Jaimes will battle Francisco Rubio in a six-round lightweight bout.

Jaimes, 20 years-old of Stockton, California has a record of 9-0 with eight knockouts is not afraid to take on good competition as he is coming off a 3rd round stoppage over Lorenzo Antonio Juarez (5-0) on June 26th in Tijuana. Jaimes, who is an action fighter, is a machinist in the ring. He grinds his opponents down. He has been promoted by Toscano Promotions since debuting.

Rubio of Tijuana has a record of 9-1-1 with seven knockouts. The capable 32 year-old Rubio has a 1st round stoppage over previously undefeated Dorian Tavizon (4-0). Rubio will be looking to rebound from his 1st professional defeat.

A stacked undercard has been assembled that will feature up and coming stars.

In a six-round bout on the main card

Giovannie Gonzalez (10-5, 8 KOs) of Stockton, California battles undefeated Brandon Cortez (5-0, 4 KOs) of Tijuana, Mexico in a lightweight fight.

Gonzalez is known for his huge heart, and his crowd pleasing style.

In a four-round bout on the main card.

Wade Jones III (4-0, 2 KOs) of Stockton, California will take on an opponent to be named in a lightweight fight.

Jones is budding star, who has gifted ability, and will be looking to step up.

On The Free Undercard

Sergio Perez (2-0, 2 KOs) of Tijuana, Mexico takes on Noe Ontiveros (6-0, 4 KOs) of Tijuana in a six-round fight featuring undefeated lightweights.

Jose Alvarado (6-0, 4 KOs) of Ensenada, Mexico fights Daniel Acosta (8-1, 5 KOs) of Guadalajara, Mexico in a six-round lightweight tussle.

Alvarado was a five-time Mexican National champion, who compiled a 125-10 amateur record. He is willing to fight anyone at anytime.

Elvis Bravo Salazar (9-2, 6 KO) of Tuxpan, Mexico will take on an opponent to be named in a six-round middleweight bout.

More bouts will be announced.

Terri Harper says she will “break down” Natasha Jonas when she defends her WBC and IBO Super-Featherweight World Titles against the Liverpudlian at Matchroom Fight Camp in Brentwood, Essex, on Friday August 7, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US. 

Harper (10-0, 5 KOs)was crowned WBC World Champion after battering Eva Wahlstrom over ten rounds at the FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield to rip the famous green and gold belt from the long-reigning Finn and cement herself as a new rising star of British boxing.

The first defence of her WBC Title comes against Great Britain’s first ever female boxer to compete at an Olympic Games. Despite Jonas’ wealth of experience in the amateur ranks, ‘Belter’ remains confident that she will emerge victorious against ‘Miss GB’ on the night.

“For me, professional and amateur boxing are two completely different styles,” said Harper. “We’re not going to do anything daft. We’re not just going to be looking for a stoppage. I’m going to use my engine that for some reason Natasha thinks could be a bad thing. I’m going to work Natasha all night and break her down.

“Tasha gets caught quite a lot and I’m a big strong Super-Featherweight. When I get in the ring I’m easily a good 10 or 12 pounds heavier than what I was at the weigh-in the day before. I’ve got a bit of meat behind my punches and I strongly believe I could get a stoppage over Tasha.

“She keeps saying there’s nothing I do better than her but obviously I beat Viviane Obenauf. I’m not going to go off that fight, but I think I’ve got one up on Natasha. Every fight I’m having I’m always thinking about that next step and reaching the next level. I enjoy the risks but I feel I have great momentum and I can’t see anything stopping me at the minute.”

Harper vs. Jonas tops Week 2 of Matchroom Camp, Bournemouth’s Chris Billam-Smith (10-1, 9 KOs) defends his Commonwealth Cruiserweight Title against undefeated Cardiff man Nathan Thorley (14-0, 6 KOs), Liverpool Super-Welterweight Anthony Fowler (12-1, 9 KOs) gets his second outing of the year against Adam Harper (9-1), Oldham prospect Aqib Fiaz (5-0) steps up against Birmingham’s former Midlands Area Champion Kane Baker (13-6) and Leeds Featherweight prospect Hopey Price (2-0) takes on Jonny Phillips (5-4, 2 KOs).

Aqib Fiaz is planning on beating Kane Baker “in style” when he meets the former Midlands Area Lightweight Champion over eight rounds in a Super-Featherweight clash at Matchroom Fight Camp in Brentwood, Essex, on Friday August 7, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

Trained by Jamie Moore alongside Ireland’s two-weight World Champion Carl Frampton at the V.I.P Gym in Astley, Fiaz inked a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing following a shutout points win over Dean Jones on the Quigg vs. Carroll undercard in Manchester earlier this year.

Since turning professional in March 2019, all but one of his fights has been scheduled for four rounds, but now the 20-year-old talent leaps up to eight rounds looking to make a big statement against experienced Brummie Baker on his big Matchroom debut.

“Kane Baker is a tough guy,” said Fiaz. “I respect him. He’s a good fighter and he’s an experienced professional. I believe I’m going all the way to the top though. He’s in my way and we’ve got to get him out of the way. In my opinion, he thinks this young kid is stepping up from four rounds and jumping into an eight rounder with him too soon.

“I’ve read some of his interviews. He’s underestimating me if he thinks he’s a huge banana skin. I’ve boxed at the highest level as an amateur. I represented my country. I’m in here sparring world class elite level fighters like Carl Frampton that have won numerous World Titles. I can’t see him brining anything to the table that I can’t handle.

“I respect him and he can say what he wants. He’s watched me. I know he has. If he thinks he’s a banana skin that’s fine. I can’t really say much more than that. I’m happy for him to think that. If he thinks I’m inexperienced then he’s got another thing coming.

“If he wants to take confidence from that then that’s up to him. I don’t think his experience will make the difference on the night. I’ve been matched tough from early on. It’s a good step up for me. It’s a fight that I can win and win looking good. I’ll do it in style.”

Fiaz vs. Baker lands on Week 2 of Matchroom Camp, Terri Harper’s (10-0, 5 KOs) defence of her WBC and IBO Super-Featherweight World Titles against British rival Natasha Jonas (9-1, 7 KOs) headlines the show, Bournemouth’s Chris Billam-Smith (10-1, 9 KOs) defends his Commonwealth Title against undefeated Cardiff man Nathan Thorley (14-0, 6 KOs), Liverpool Super-Welterweight Anthony Fowler (12-1, 9 KOs) gets his second outing of the year against Adam Harper (9-1) and Leeds Featherweight prospect Hopey Price (2-0) takes on Jonny Phillips (5-4, 2 KOs).

LOS ANGELES (August 3, 2020) – Exciting, undefeated super lightweight prospect Omar Juárez shared updated from training camp as he prepares to battle Willie Shaw in a special attraction on the return of FOX PBC Fight Night on FOX, FS1 and FOX Deportes, this Saturday, August 8 from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

FOX PBC Fight Night begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and is headlined by top welterweight Jamal “Shango’’ James squaring off against former title challenger Thomas Dulorme in a 12-round battle for the Interim WBA Welterweight Title and features Cuban sensation David Morrell Jr. stepping up in just his third professional fight to face unbeaten Lennox Allen in a 12-round WBA Super Middleweight Interim Title match in the co-main event.

Here is what Juarez had to say from training camp:

On his recent training camp.

“Ever since the pandemic halted everything, I had to make the best of my training regimen. I was able to stay in great shape by doing a lot of road work and bag drills while working with my dad Rudy Juarez at home. Once Texas opened, I headed to San Antonio to work coach Rick Nunez. While I was there, I was able to get great sparring. I’m in the best shape of my life and fans can expect to see an explosive performance from me.”

On his upcoming matchup with Willie Shaw.
“Willie Shaw is a technical fighter with a lot of skill. Fortunately, I was able to get some good sparring with guys that emulate his style. I know he’s sparred with some top-level guys in the past and He has more experience in the pros, so this is a big step up for me. I’m ready for the challenge and Shaw will see some new wrinkles in my game that no one has seen yet.”
On fighting on FOX National.
“When I got the call that I would be opening up the FOX National show I was filled with excitement. FOX is the premier channel for boxing and everyone back home in Brownsville will get to see me fight. It’s a dream come true to be fighting on such a big platform and I want to thank everyone on my team for all their hard work. FOX is the best and I’m ready to shine.”

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Viewers can live stream the PBC shows on the FOX Sports and FOX NOW apps or at FOXSports.com. In addition, all programs are available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app.

For more information: visit www.premierboxingchampions.com, http://www.foxsports.com/presspass/homepage and www.foxdeportes.com, follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @PBConFOX, @FOXSports, @FOXDeportes and @TGBPromotions become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.facebook.com/foxsports & www.facebook.com/foxdeportes.

LAS VEGAS, NV (August 3, 2020) – 17-year old twin boxing sensations, coming fresh off a sparring tour in the United States, Angel “AK-47” (3-0, 3 KOs) and Chavez “The Beast” Barrientes (3-0, 3 KOs), and their highly touted teammate, Demler “DJ” Zamora lll (4-0, 3 KOs), all scored impressive knockouts on Saturday, August 1, 2020, at Papas and Beer in Rosarito, MX.

The three highly regarded fighters, who hail from the Pound-4-Pound boxing gym in Las Vegas, Nevada, all lived up to their billing.

Super bantamweight Chavez Barrientes stopped Gilberto Valenzuela in the first round, furthering his impressive performances.

“I had a very good camp, and worked hard for this bout,” said Chavez Barrientes. “We spent a lot of time working with fighters we’d never sparred before and it helped a lot for this fight. I hit my opponent with powerful body blow and that was the punch that hurt him most. He couldn’t recover after that.”

Twin brother, Angel Barrientes saw a similar result as he stopped Brayan Martinez in the first round of their super bantamweight bout.

“I was able to land a couple of nice straight right hands to my opponents head that put him down early,” said Angel Barrientes. “I am lucky to return the ring this soon and hope to stay active as I want to achieve so much in this sport. I knew I had to make a statement and I did.”

Featherweight Demler “DJ” Zamora III stopped Sergio Vidal in the second round with a check right hook.

“We’ve been working on a lot of different things in the gym and one of them was throwing a hard right hook,” said Zamora “That was the punch that landed flush and hurt my opponent. Once I saw him hurt, I wanted to end the fight and I did so with a flurry of punches. These camps keep getting better and better and felt as sharp as ever going into this fight.”

Other Pound-4-Pound stablemates scoring victories in Mexico were Lightweight Nino Delgado (6-0-1, 3 KOs), Super Flyweight Jesse Rosales (4-0, 3 KOs), and Featherweight Joseph Macedo (2-0, 2 KOs).

Chris Billam-Smith says he learnt more from sparring World No.1 Cruiserweight Mairis Briedis than he did in all of his first seven professional fights combined. 

Following his impressive stoppage win over Craig Glover to claim the Commonwealth Title in Liverpool, ‘The Gentleman’ (10-1, 9 KOs) flew out to Riga in February to spend two weeks sparring with WBO Cruiserweight World Champion Briedis in the Latvian capital. 

Briedis, a former WBC ruler, went on a 23-fight winning streak before suffering his first career loss to pound-for-pound star Oleksandr Usyk in a close battle for the WBC and WBO belts in the World Boxing Super Series semi-final in January 2018. 

He bounced back to become a two-time World Champion in the following season’s WBSS when he floored Krzysztof Glowacki in three rounds to win the WBO belt in June last year, but the semi-final bout was shrouded in controversy after Briedis knocked Glowacki down well after the bell in the second round. 

Bournemouth’s Billam-Smith says the 30 rounds he shared with Briedis will help him make a first successful defence of his Commonwealth Title against Nathan Thorley this Friday, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

“I learnt so much out there,” said Billam-Smith. “He’s proven himself at the very top level. He gave Usyk arguably his hardest fight. He’s a tough bloke and he gave me some great work. I had to adapt and really think during the spars. I really feel like I’ve improved as a fighter from those two weeks. 

“It was like having another fight under your belt because you’re in a foreign country and it’s hard work. It was probably more beneficial than my first seven fights all put together. It was a great experience for me. I really had to take my time and pick my shots against him. I think that’s what you’ll see of me on August 7^th.”

Cardiff’s Thorley, a former Welsh Area Light-Heavyweight Champion, believes his clash with Billam-Smith will be his ‘breakthrough night’, but the Shane McGuigan-trained 30-year-old has other ideas and says he will be a step too far for ‘Thunder’.

“Thorley has never been in with anyone like me. It doesn’t matter what he’s capable of or what his game plan is, I will make sure I’m victorious on August 7^th. This might be his big opportunity but I won’t be letting him take it. I think he’ll tire a lot sooner than me and I believe I hit a lot harder than him as well.

“He’s got range and he’s got quick hands, he’s got a boxing brain and he’s got good ability but it’s a big step up for him from his previous fights. We’ll see how he deals with the occasion. It’s his first twelve rounder up at Cruiserweight against someone who is a natural Cruiserweight. It will be interesting to see how strong he is in there.”

Billam-Smith vs. Thorley lands on Week 2 of Matchroom Camp, Terri Harper’s (10-0, 5 KOs) defence of her WBC and IBO Super-Featherweight World Titles against British rival Natasha Jonas (9-1, 7 KOs) headlines the show, Liverpool Super-Welterweight Anthony Fowler (12-1, 9 KOs) gets his second outing of the year against Adam Harper (9-1), Oldham Lightweight prospect Aqib Fiaz (5-0) steps up against Birmingham’s former Midlands Area Champion Kane Baker (13-6) and Leeds Featherweight prospect Hopey Price (2-0) takes on Jonny Phillips (5-4, 2 KOs).

London, UK (3 August 2020) 26-year-old east Midlander, Chad Sugden, takes his first step up the championship ladder when he confronts the unbeaten and towering Birmingham Shakan Pitters in a spicy looking showdown for the vacant British title at a purpose built production studio in Redditch on Saturday 22nd August, exclusively live on free-to-air Channel 5.

‘2Slick’ Sugden is a fighting man to the core and hails from one of the nation’s most renowned combat families and is intent on becoming the first man to beat Pitters and claim the Lonsdale belt.

‘My Dad Dean was a world kick boxing champion and I was taking classes in both kick-boxing and boxing from the age of five. My brother Regis is an unbeaten pro welter and another younger brother Bailey is heavily involved in K1, competes in ‘Glory’. We’re a proper fighting family. Don’t mess!’ warns the solid 6ft Sugden who earned his opportunity after just 65 pro rounds and 13 fights (one draw, one loss).

‘I started competing in light contact martial arts at eight or nine, had my first amateur boxing bout at just 11 and pursued both sports alongside each other during my teens. But I always loved boxing more. That’s what I watched on the tele and my idols were boxers as opposed to martial artists. Most of my wins in kick-boxing were down to my hands. I always sparred pro boxers, to keep my hands sharp.’

‘I had 20 odd amateur fights, got beat in a national junior final and won the Senior Midland ABAs. At 17, I didn’t think I was quite ready to box professionally but accepted a pro kick-boxing contract. When the ABA got wind that I was fighting for money they revoked my amateur boxing card.’

Combining fists and feet, chiller Chad scooped an ISKA world title, starred in the US, Middle East, Asia and all over Europe and scored five figure purses.

‘I got used to doing all the press conferences and fighting away from home as an underdog, before huge, fanatical audiences – all experiences that transfer over,’ he states.

‘But I always knew professional boxing was where I wanted to go. The exposure was that much greater. I’d been struggling for a bit with a stress fracture at the bottom of my spine and all the kicking wasn’t helping it. At 21, I finally took the plunge.

‘With boxing, there’s less weapons to worry about, two less limbs to avoid and the martial fights were shorter, five rounds maximum. Though the kick-boxing is a bit jumpy, darting in and out of range, you had to plant your feet for K1 or you get wiped out.’

After converting to conventional pugilism four years ago, Sugden acclimatized with 10 fights against predominantly imported journeymen but has sizzled since stepping up in competition over the past eight months.

Darwen’s ex-Commonwealth super-middle czar Luke Blackledge was comprehensively upset over eight rounds at Nottingham’s Harvey Hadden Centre last July while Dutch-based Ugandan southpaw Farouk Daku was shutout over eight at the same venue three months after.

However, it was Sugden’s spirited eight round draw against world rated ex British title challenger Craig Richards at the York Hall last December – Sugden’s first fight outside the Midland small halls – that alerted the cognoscenti of his championship credentials.

‘Billy Joe Saunders had broken my nose with a big uppercut in sparring but I couldn’t turn Craig Richards down,’ claims Chad

‘The nose went again in round two and, after that, I just had to focus on nicking rounds. While I can still see and my arms are still working, I’ll fight, man. Craig says he was robbed but no one else was saying that. Though I thought it was close on the night, when I watched it back I thought I edged it by a round.’

Co-coach John Costello, who steered Jamie Cox to a world title challenge, works with Sugden twice weekly at his Birmingham gym and is astonished by the Newark warrior’s innate ruggedness.

He claims: ‘I believe Chad’s the youngest Brit ever to secure a K1 contract and often he’d be required to fight three times a day.

‘He’s very strong physically and ridiculously tough; very resilient and absorbent. Jamie used Chad as his main sparring partner for his fight with George Groves. Jay dropped all the others but just couldn’t catch Chad clean.

‘Then Chad came into the Craig Richards fight on two weeks’ notice without any sparring because of his broken nose. When it went again in round two, he couldn’t breathe through his nose. Lasting the course was a victory in itself.’

Largely unknown before he was pitched with Pitters for the coveted Lord Lonsdale belt, strongman Sugden intends to announce himself spectacularly to the live national Channel Five audience.

‘I’m an old school, all round operator; a slick, aggressive counter puncher who moves well. I fight every fight differently,’ he disclosed.

‘I bring a presence to the ring. I’m very strong. I’m not the biggest knockout puncher but I’ve stopped a few with body shots.

‘I definitely want to defend the belt three times then move on. I’ve aspirations of European and world titles. The British light-heavyweight scene is so strong at the minute. If you’re a player here, you’re a player at world level.’

In association with Ladbrokes and Infinitum, Hennessy Sports will present the exciting five-fight card headlined with the highly-anticipated Pitters v Sugden clash, plus the comeback of Brixton cruiserweight title contender Isaac Chamberlain; Birmingham super-welterweight and Love Island star Idris Virgo; a fiery Midlands derby for the Vacant Midlands Area Welterweight title between Birmingham’s Kaisee Benjamin and Wolverhampton’s Conah Walker, and fast-rising Sevenoaks middleweight prospect Michael Hennessy Jr.

For further information go to www.hennessysports.com or social media: Facebook @HennessySports, Twitter @HennessySports and Instagram @hennessysports

Angelo Leo won the vacant WBO Super Bantamweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Tramaine Williams at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Williams got off to a good start as he was crisp with his counter left hook. He controlled the action for the first three rounds. Leo started to come forward in the middle rounds as he effectively worked the body.

That tactic slowed down the quick Williams as Leo continued to work on the inside and pound away at the body of Williams with left hooks. Leo occasionally came upstairs, but by the championship rounds, Williams output had slowed to pedestrian status.

Leo outlanded Williams 248-196 including 102 to seven to the body.

Leo of Albuquerque, NM won by scores of 118-110 and 117-111 twice and is now 20-0. Williams of New Haven, Connecticut is 19-1.

Angelo Leo

“It feels good. It still hasn’t sunk in yet, it just feels surreal. The first few rounds I was just feeling him out, getting his timing, getting the feel of him. I felt him kind of loosening up and breaking down, and that’s when I started putting the pressure on him a little more.

“That was the key factor in this fight, the body work and the pressure. I’m pretty sure Albuquerque is celebrating tonight. I think they have four world champions, because you can’t exclude Holly Holm. You have Johnny [Tapia], Danny [Romero], Holly and now me. There’s four champions in that city and I think I’ve made history there.

“At first, the first couple hours after the opponent change I was a little disappointed. But then I was like, ‘Hey this is what I came here to do.’ I came here to win a world title and that’s exactly what I did. When I set my mind to it, I do it.”

Raeese Aleem stopped Marcus Bates in round 10 of their scheduled 12-round super bantamweight rematch.

Aleem dominated the fight as he punished Bates to the body and began working his way upstairs. In round 10, Bates was complaining of an injured right hand. Later in the round, Aleem landed two crushing lefts as Bates turned away and referee Gary Rosato stopped the bout at 2:18.

Aleem, 121 1/4 lbs of Las Vegas is 17-0 with 11 knockouts. Bates, 121 1/4 lbs of Washington, DC is 11-2-1.

“It did help me facing Bates again only because I knew some of his tendencies, but that was still a while ago. He’s a top fighter so he could have come at me a number of different ways. I was just prepared.

“I didn’t know his hand was hurt. I thought he was juts shaking it just to try to get me to look at it and distract me. I didn’t worry about it.

“I would love to fight either the winner of the main event or any current world champion – Akhmadaliev has two of the belts. Brandon Figueroa, Rey Vargas, or the winner of this one. It doesn’t really matter who but I want the strap.”

Joe George scored a vicious 9th round stoppage over Marcos Escudero in a scheduled 10-round light heavyweight bout.

Escudero seemed to be winning the fight as he was out throwing and out-landing George, much like their first fight that took place in November.

In the final seconds of round nine, George landed a vicious uppercut that sent Escudero crashing to the canvas, and the fight was stopped at 3:00.

George, 174 1/4 lbs of Houston is now 11-0 with seven knockouts. Escudero, 173 1/2 lbs of West Palm Beach, FL is 10-2.

Joe George

“I was setting him up with the jab to the body, I had him leaning over a little. I was shooting the right uppercut, some landed and some didn’t. I wanted him to get comfortable and relaxed, and that’s exactly what he did. He was relaxed and I slipped over and just shot it. He gave it to me and I had to take it. It put him down.

“The result is self-explanatory. I don’t have to say nothing. I’m willing to fight whoever next. One fight at a time and I’ll be prepared for whatever’s on the way.”

Follow all the action as Angelo Leo takes on Tramaine Williams for the vacant WBO Super Bantamweight title.  The action begins at 9 PM ET/ 6 PM PT with two rematches.  Joseph George takes on Marcos Escudero in a light heavyweight fight.  Raeese Aleem fights Marcus Bates in a super bantamweight tussle.

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Round 1:  Straight left from Williams

Round 2 Counter from Williams..Counter left

Round 3 Straight left from Williams..Straight left

Round 4 Jab from Williams…Hook from Leo..Shoe-Shine from Leo…Right

Round 5

Round 6 Body shots from Williams..Left and right to body from Leo..Right hook from Williams

Round 7 2 left hooks to body from Leo..Left hook to the head…Fights on the inside..Body shots from Leo

Round 8 Counter left from Williams..Good body…Hard body shot from Leo..Body shot..Right uppercut

Round 9 Straight right from Leo,..Counter left from Williams…Body shots from Leo

Round 10 Leo lands a right to the head..Body/Head combination

Round 11 Leo working on the inside..Counter left from Williams

Round 12 Leo continues to come forward..Double left hook

117-111; 118-110 TWICE FOR ANGELO LEO

Round 1 Bates lands an uppercut..Left hook from Aleem

Round 2 Left gook to body and head from Aleem

Round 3 Jab from Aleem..Left from Bates…Left to body from Aleem..Counter right from Bates..Jab from Aleem

Round 4 Right from Aleem..2 lefts…Jab..Right to body…3 left hooks

Round 5  Aleem Jabbing

Round 6 Bates Jabbing..Right from Aleem..Counter right..Right to body

Round 7 Head combination from Aleem..Body shots

Round 8  Right…Body from Aleem..Right to body..Counter right

Round 9 Aleem Jabbing..Combination..Lead right

Round 10  Bates right hand is hurt…Jab from Aleem..Right..2 BIG LEFTS..BATES TURNS AWAY AND THE FIGHT IS STOPPED

Round 1:  Left hook from George..Right..Jab..Body..Jab from Escudero..Jab..Counter left from George..right from Escudero

Round 2 Body and head from Escudero..Combination from George..Left hook..Body shot..Uppercut from Escudero..Good jab from George..Counter..

Round 3 Right from Escudero..Jab..Left hook from George..Right from Escudero..Jab from George..Combination

Round 4 Body work from Escudero..George jab to body..Uppercut and left hook from Escudero..Counter right from George

Round 5  3 punch combination from George..Escudero lands a right..Body shot..Left hook…Body work

Round 6 Right from George…Escudero lands a right..Escudero lands a combination

Round 7 Escudero lands a left hook to the body…

Round 8 Right from Escudero…Hard right from George to the head puts Escudero down but ruled a slip

Round 9 Left from George..Counter left…HUGE LEFT AND DOWN GOES ESCUDERO AND THE FIGHT IS OVER

Nate Maness won a unanimous decision over Johnny Munoz in a featherweight bout.

Maness, 144.5 lbs of Morgansfield, KY won by scores of 29-27 on all cards and is now 12-1. Munoz, 145.5 lbs of Norco, CA is 10-1.

Jamall Emmers won a unanimous decision over Vince Cachero in a featherweight fight.

Emmers, 146 lbs of Redlands, CA won by scores of 30-27 on all cards and is now 18-5. Cachero, 145 lbs of Hawaii is 7-3.

Chris Gutierrez and Chad Durden fought to a draw in a bantamweight fight.

All judges scored the bout 28-28, despite Durden outstriking Gutierrez 75-48.

Gutierrez, 135.5 lbs of Englewood, CO is 15-3-2. Durden, 135.5 lbs of Covington, GA 11-2-1.

Reading, PA (August 1, 2020)–.TONIGHT at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, King’s Promotions will be featured prominently as three members of the promotional outfit will see action on a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING tripleheader.

In the televised co-feature, it will be a rematch of King’s Promotions super bantamweight’s as WBA Number-13 ranked Raeese Aleem (16-0, 10 KOs) and WBA Number-eight ranked Marcus Bates (11-1-1, 8 KOs) square off in a WBA Elimination contest.

In the televised opener, Joseph George (10-0, 6 KOs) will look to repeat the outcome of his November 15th battle with Marcos Escudero (10-1, 9 KOs) as the two will square off in a 10-round light heavyweight bout.

Raeese Aleem

The fights, which begin at 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT, will be headlined by the WBO Super Bantamweight title bout featuring Angelo Leo taking on Tramaine Williams.

“This is a big night for our company,” said Marshall Kauffman, CEO of King’s Promotions.

“We have three of our fighters in two big rematches. The winners of each fight set themselves up for huge opportunities in their next fight. I want to thank Stephen Espinoza and Al Haymon for the opportunities for Raeese, Marcus and Joseph. They will all prove that they belong on this stage on Saturday night, and I hope this will be the 1st of many big fights on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING for the three.”

At Friday’s weigh-in, both Aleem and Bates weighed 121 1/4 lbs.

George was 174 1/4 lbs while Escudero was 173 1/2.

Below are fight week quotes from Aleem, Bates and George.

RA’EESE ALEEM

“My first fight against Marcus was a good fight, I believe I won every round. That was my first fight back after a two-and-a-half-year layoff. I just couldn’t get a fight and he accepted the challenge at that time. I gave him his first loss and you always remember your first loss. I’m sure he thinks about me at night.

“Facing a new opponent on late notice doesn’t take away from my aggression, if anything it amps it up. I’m probably going to be more aggressive, if anything, because it is more of a grudge match. The first time that I fought him, head-to-head, I beat him fair and square and he has the audacity to say that something was up with his water or whatever. Real fighters don’t make excuses and that’s exactly what he has done. He called me out and told people I was scared to fight him. Well, now he gets his chance and it’s going to be more than what he bargained for.”

MARCUS BATES

“I’ve been working hard to get to where I’m at and everybody who boxes dreams of being a world champion. For this to fall into place at this point of my career, I think it’s perfect timing a perfect opportunity. I’ve wanted the rematch with Aleem and I couldn’t get it, so for us to get the rematch on SHOWTIME is great. If I win this, I will be in position to fight for a world title and every boxer’s dream is to get a belt.

Marcus Bates

“Even though there was a chance I wouldn’t be fighting, I came here expecting to fight. I didn’t come all the way up here just to go home without a fight. Once they told me I was definitely fighting and it was going to be a rematch to the only guy I’ve lost to, I was very excited. I always wanted to fight him again after I lost to him so I’m so excited.”

JOE GEORGE

“I’m in better shape for this fight compared to our first fight. We’re working on fighting off of the ropes better and fighting in the center of the ring more effectively.

“A knockout is always good, but I like to take it one round at a time. If the knockout comes, it comes, and we’re going to take advantage. I’ve been dropping fighters in camp, so the chance of a knockout is pretty high.

“He was an okay opponent. He had a chin and was in shape. His punches weren’t effective though. I made sure my punches landed and I hurt him a few times, I just couldn’t really finish him.

Joseph George

“This fight will be different because I’m going to work off the ropes more instead of letting him gain momentum with his punches. Last fight was just him being really active and having a good chin -that’s all that stopped him from getting knocked out. If I was in better shape, I could have finished him. If I get the opportunity this fight, I’ll finish it.

“I expect to see a slight difference in Escudero. If you change trainers, then you should have made some changes. I had a good hard camp and whatever he brings, I’ll be ready for it.

“Some people think that Escudero won, and that’s their opinion. But I knew what I was doing. He wasn’t effective. I think just by me being on the ropes it made some people think that I was losing. But for me, I’m very comfortable fighting on the ropes.

“I didn’t really spar with people my weight in camp, it was either with heavyweights or guys who are lighter. The lighter guys helped with my speed and the heavyweights helped with my power. It worked out perfectly and I got the best of both worlds.

“My manager Trent Williams is a young athlete so he knows how this goes. He knows the things to do and what to say. You never see him angry or frustrated, the only time he’s aggressive is when he’s training or on the field. His work ethic is incredible and that’s motivation in itself. He’s a great role model and I learn a lot from watching him.”

Raeese Aleem talks rematch with Marcus Bates
Raeese Aleem talks rematch with Marcus Bates
Marcus Bates Media Availability
Marcus Bates Media Availability
Media conference with undefeated light heavyweight Joseph George
Media conference with undefeated light heavyweight Joseph George

Saturday’s fights are presented by Premier Boxing Champions and promoted by TGB and Mayweather Promotions in association with Kings Promotions. The main event is promoted in association with New World Sports and Warriors Boxing.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @TGBPromotions or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing